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Lukewarm Stove: Javier Vazquez Wants to Pitch in Miami

Like LeBron James and Chris Bosh before him, free agent starter Javier Vazquez wants to take his talents to Miami. The 34-year-old starter, coming off a down year, has been connected to the Chicago Cubs’ search for a middle-of-the-rotation type, but there are now two significant hurdles to him becoming a Cub. In addition to the aforementioned Miami desire, it seems that Vazquez is going to get paaaid.

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Here’s the stumbling block: According to a source that has spoken to Vazquez, he’s already received some hefty offers, the kind the Marlins would have trouble meeting. Vazquez, 34, might sign for slightly less to pitch in South Florida, but it would have to be a competitive offer. At this point, it’s clear some teams are willing to overpay for Vazquez, who before last season had totaled 198 or more innings in 10 consecutive years. Coming off a down year with the Yankees, even Vazquez has been surprised at the money teams have put on the table for him.

In 2010, Vazquez earned $11.5 million in the final season of a three-year, $34.5 million deal he signed with the White Sox, who traded him to the Braves before the 2009 season. It’s not inconceivable that Vazquez might command another eight-figure salary for at least two more years, especially from an NL team. The Rockies are among the clubs believed to have interest. Sun-Sentinel.

Vazquez put up a 5.32 ERA in just 157.1 innings with the Yankees this year, the worst since his rookie season, so it’s a bit surprising that substantial offers are already floating around.

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Maybe teams have noticed a Vazquez anomaly: in 2001 he was great, in 2002 ok, in 2003 great, in 2004 ok, in 2005 good, in 2006 ok, in 2007 good, in 2008 ok, in 2009 great, in 2010 bad. He has the most alternatingly predictable career I’ve ever seen. By this (questionable) logic, he’s on pace for a very good or great season in 2011 (before a shit-show in 2012).

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